Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Kele Nitoto

Ok yeah, this cat?... Mystifunk, as in how did the brotha make it SO funky? I remember the first time I saw him perform, I was taking classes shortly there after and having my mind blown regularly. Aside from being an amazing drummer, he's about that roots and culture in action. Bringing beats and smiles, peace and passion, and always a little something in the mix to make your brain wiggle, its that Kele Nitoto. 

Kele Nitoto is a second-generation African American percussionist. Having studied with Masters of many styles, Kele has become proficient in West African, Congolese, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian , and Afro-Haitian traditional drumming. Since 1993 Kele has performed throughout California with such groups as the children's group S.U.D.U.A. House, Award Winning modern dance ensemble Dimensions Dance Theater, Haitian group Project Reconnect, The Peruvian Dance Ensemble, Congolese troupes Ballet Lisanga, and Internationally renowned Fua Dia Congo. 

A co-founder the Black Dot Artist Collective, Kele has also become one of the Bay Area’s most sought after percussionists for R+B, Hip-Hop and Jazz. He has played with such Funk/R+B groups as Electric Church, Xroads, The Jua Theory, Hip-Hop/ band Hairdoo, and Jazz trio E.S.P., Funk group Soul Mechanix, and Bay Area blues legend Augusta Lee Collins. He currently plays with World Soul artist WolfHawkJaguar, and Haitian Dance ensemble Elwa Movement. Kele has taught hundreds of workshops and classes over the years with adults and children. He has taught at summer camps, spiritual and workplace retreats, and for countless ceremonies and celebrations. Through it all he continues to explore all aspects of percussive music, and what it can mean to those who hear it.

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Traci Bartlow

I met this sistah on the dance floor, and it's been on the one ever since! The love this woman has for our people and our culture, coupled with her talent and vision make her a force to be reckoned with and a straight up home girl for real. Prone to uplift yo vibe and enhance your funkentelechy, y'all please dig Ms. Traci "B-Love" Bartlow.

 

Traci Bartlow is one of the Bay Area's most mutli faceted artists. A native of Oakland California, this dancer / choreographer, photographer, poet has worked internationally in theater, film television and print. Her early beginings as "a dancer on the block" have evolved to being proficient in many dance styles including old school and new school hip hop dance, Lindy Hop, Jazz, West African dance and House. A striking beauty represented by Stars, The Agency in San Francisco she currently works in print, television and film. 

Traci is the founder and creative director of Starchild Enterprise, which is based on the African Adinkra symbol Nsoroma whose meaning translates to, 'my illumination is merely a reflection of God's or, Child of the Heavens'. This is the guiding principal for all Traci's creative endeavors. Traci is a cultural worker with over 20 years experience as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, photographer, director, producer, community organizer,  and gardener. Owner and operator of B-Love's Guest House, Traci is also an artist/activist and core member that helped to found and develop the Eastside Cultural Center. 

B-Love’s Guest House is a unique extension to Traci's lifestyle of wellness and creativity. Catering to the visiting artist or business professional, this guest house is a cute and spacious 5 bedroom apartment on the street level of her Victorian home. Click on this link to find out more about B-Love's Guest House.

For more info check out the tracibartlow.com and you can "like" Starchild on Facebook or follow @TraciBartlow on Twitter to find out about upcoming shows and workshops.